The Rise of Colapinto
The expected plot twist has arrived: an opportunity for millions to flow from Argentina, with Franco Colapinto as the bait, seems to have sealed Jack Doohan’s fate at Alpine. Many in the paddock now see it as an almost inevitable scenario: if Doohan underperforms in the first few races, or even if he simply doesn’t shine, Flavio Briatore will make his move, replacing him with his new protégé while simultaneously opening the floodgates to Argentine sponsorship money. It’s nothing personal, just business.
The Business of Formula 1
Formula 1 is not always just about sport. Most of the time, it’s about money. And while it’s clear that Colapinto has placed himself in a good position thanks to his stint with Williams, Renault also has a clear interest in the South American market. Having a driver from the region could be seen as a strategic opportunity, and the team’s desire to capitalize on it is understandable.
Colapinto’s Speed
Colapinto’s speed is an additional, yet necessary, factor in this case. His unexpected F1 debut may not have been flawless, but it was enough to put him not only on Alpine’s radar, but also Red Bull’s—and most importantly, to put F1 back in the spotlight in Argentina.
Rumors and Speculations Surrounding Colapinto and Alpine
The chain of events that unfolded between Colapinto and Alpine has fueled speculations about the next chapter of this story. Rumors about Briatore’s interest in Franco appeared long before he officially joined the team—and the confirmation only strengthened the effect: the paddock had its suspicions regarding the reasons behind this interest, with Argentine money being mentioned in nearly every conversation. The subsequent signing seemed to confirm: yes, everything is happening exactly as predicted.
The Pressure on Jack Doohan: A Reality for All Drivers
At the same time, it became almost public knowledge that Jack’s contract contained a clause allowing him to be free after five or six F1 races. Some even explained Alpine’s decision to put him in the car in Abu Dhabi last year as a first attempt by the new bosses to give him the chance to “fail” as quickly as possible.
All these speculations, in one way or another, have led to massive media coverage. So when Doohan faced the press for the first time this month, it was clear that instead of the usual rookie questions about how he feels being an F1 driver and how he’s dealing with fame, Jack was bombarded with questions about Colapinto and the pressure created by his presence on the team.
“Don’t you feel undermined at all by Franco’s presence?” he was asked during the pre-event F1 75 press conference in London. “Because it’s very unusual to have a 21-year-old reserve driver with a long-term contract who raced last season and wants to get back behind the wheel as soon as possible.”
He had to fight back.
“Is that a question?” he smiled, already giving the answer that the pressure is real for all Formula 1 drivers, regardless of whether there’s an Argentine talent waiting on the sidelines.
Flavio Briatore’s Strong Support for Colapinto
This approach was praised by Oliver Oakes, who clearly tried to push the narrative that the speculation about Doohan being replaced by Colapinto was the work of certain “keyboard warriors” spreading bold assumptions that Jack’s days at the team were numbered.
But while he has been brilliant in his role, those keyboard warriors wouldn’t have any weapons if Alpine hadn’t provided them. And it’s not just the facts that paint a picture of imminent threat.
Oakes’ boss, Flavio Briatore, shares an almost affectionate relationship with Franco on Instagram, posting pictures of the two around the world. They posed together after signing the deal, Flavio shared a video of Colapinto’s TPC test in Barcelona, and then another picture from Monaco, where they stand in front of a wall with the words “Love is the answer” in the background.
The Growing Speculation and the Future of Doohan
In a 30-second video shared on Alpine’s social media channels during Luca de Meo’s visit to Enstone in early January, both Renault’s CEO and Flavio talk about Colapinto—not their main drivers.
For me, Franco is one of the best young and fast drivers for the future,” says Briatore.
It’s hard to find another reserve driver in F1 who receives as much love from their bosses, and it’s probably fair to say that Jack Doohan is at least a little jealous.
And, of course, there’s a post on Flavio’s Instagram page dedicated to the signing of Mercado Libre—the main e-commerce company in Argentina and one of Colapinto’s sponsors—as a sponsor of Alpine.
Will Argentine Sponsorship Money Flow into Alpine?
So, the warriors that Oakes likes to mention are not, at least, the only ones contributing to the buzz around Colapinto.
It all adds up, doesn’t it? Colapinto was lured from Williams and given a three-year contract. What young driver signs such a long contract just to sit on the bench? And the money is already coming from Argentina. So, only one thing remains: for Jack Doohan to vacate his seat.
The Uncertainty of Argentine Sponsorship Deals
Or does it?
There are still doubts about whether Argentine sponsors will really flood Alpine with cash—and for now, at least, there are no signs of other companies, besides Mercado Libre, joining the team’s sponsorship portfolio.
It’s known that this F1 team has been in contact with Globant, but the company already sponsors F1, and so far, those discussions haven’t led to anything concrete. And the national oil company YPF, which supported Colapinto in the junior series, is unlikely to join, as Alpine has already signed a major deal with Eni, essentially excluding partnerships with other companies in the same sector.
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